Skyclan's New Deputy

Crowstar jumped onto the tall branch and called out to his clan. "Let all cats old enough to climb a tree gather here for a clan meeting!"

Addergaze's ears perked curiously, head raising from where she had previously been lounging outside of the Nursery. The large Queen hauled herself to her paws, quickly flashing a glance towards the Nursery, before trotting forwards to where Crowstar sat, curiosity filling her; it was too soon for any kits to become apprentices yet- considering that really the only kits were her own and they were still a bit little for leaving the camp. Dropping down on her haunches, the she-cat wrapped her thick tail around her large paws before settling down to wait for whatever announcement was coming.

Lilyheart padded out from the warriors den, having taken an afternoon nap from her dawn patrol, seeing her father up on the rock and cats already gathering. Making her way besides Adderfang she turned to look at the she-cat with a question glance after sitting down, her tail softly swaying. "Do you know what this is?" The she-cat asked quietly.

Tinylegs sat among the crowd of cat, looking up to his father with curiosity in his eyes. The little tom assumed that it was time to appoint a new deputy, and although he had a few possible options in his mind, he waited in silence for Crowstar to speak again.

Fawnsplash got to her paws at Crowstars call, a curious look in her murky green gaze. She had a guess as to what this would be, but she wasn't a hundred percent sure. She padded over to Tall Branch and sat down, curling her fluffy tail around her paws neatly.

Rippedsky settled down in the clearing at the leader's call. He'd just returned from hunting and finished dropping his catch in the pile. A soft smile crossed his muzzle. The tom assumed it was another apprentice ceremony. It was always great to see young cats begin their training. His eyes fixed on Crowstar, patiently waiting for the fluffy, black leader to begin.

Eagleheart sat down next to his mate. His tail flicked impatiently. Unlike Rippedsky, the warrior had been around camp that day. He knew what was coming. The warrior wanted to know who would be picked to serve under Crowstar next. Unlike what most cats would think, he was not wanting the position himself. He simply hoped the next deputy would be a worthy one.

Snowstorm ate a robin. She smiled as she heard the meeting call. Another kit's apprenticeship? Or an apprentice becoming a warrior. Either way, she finished her robin and walked over.

Oceanlight poked her head outside the medicine cat den. She blinked wondering what it was for. She walked over and sat down.

Moonlight padded towards the Tall branch, taking her place right at her mate’s side with curiosity in her eyes. She silently wondered what kind of announcement or ceremony the leader had in mind, though her suspicions started to circle around her head. It has been a while since they last saw Vixenheart around, and though the rogue group was still around they weren’t sure if she was with them or not. One thing was obvious though, they needed a deputy regardless of where she could be.




Hawkstrike slowly got out from the warrior’s den and walked towards the Tall Branch, he was almost fully healed at least, and though some of his still healing wounds still caused some discomfort to him he was happy to be allowed to sleep between his fellow warriors instead of the Medicine Cat’s den and in a day or two would be able to go on patrols at least…not that he felt bad about it though. He felt sincerely grateful towards Ocenlight and her and Rabbitfoot for healing him, with only the awful scar over his eye left as a remainder of his fight against Mudfoot.

After a bit of thinking, he finally took a spot to listen to what Crowstar had to say, sitting at a respectful distance given that he was new around. Even if he was supposed to act like an old warrior that returned to his old clan he still didn’t want to be disrespectful by taking a spot between the front rows.

Crowstar looked at the gathered cats. "As you all know we haven't seen Vixenheart in a while... While I wish for her return, Skyclan needs to continue on. It's time for me to appoint another deputy." The leader let out a small sigh before speaking again. " "I say these words before the spirits of our ancestors so that they may hear and approve my choice. Rippedsky will be the new deputy of SkyClan." The leader knew that some people wouldn't like his choice. But Rippedsky had proved himself over and over again to the leader. He was a fine warrior. He saved cats of Skyclan. If he wasn't a loyal warrior then he wouldn't have done any of that. Rippedsky was his choice.

Lilyheart blinked in shock as she looked to Rippedsky, a smiled stretched on her maw. "What an honour! Congratulations Rippedsky!" The black and white she-cat meowed, a purr rumbling from her throat. The Skyclan tom was going to be in for a rough time with those that still protested his place in Skyclan, but she'd defend him until she breathed her last breath.

Eagleheart's ears had been pricked waiting for answer. As soon as the words reached him, shock hit the warrior. The Windclan traitor is going to be our deputy? He sprang to his feet, a protest building in his throat. However, he stopped himself short. No other cat had voiced their disapproval yet. Eagleheart did not want to be the first. The muscular tom sat back on his haunches, mumbling his displeasure quietly instead. If his mate hadn't supported the traitor once before, he would have said something to her. But that was an argument for another time.

**

The black and white warrior was stunned. He hadn't even imagined the words that left his former mentor's mouth. He had noticed Vixenheart had not been around as much, but he did not know of her disappeared. Between missing his mate and troubles with his son, Rippedsky had been too busy to know. What was even more shocking was that Crowstar had chosen him over any of the Skyclan born cats. Disbelief and self-doubt crossed him. However, that quickly turned into a sense of gratitude and desire to serve his clan. No matter what challenges this meant for him, the warrior was ready to take it head on. His eyes shone with determination as he looked up at Crowstar and then looked over the clan.

"Thank you, Crowstar," He meowed with a dip of his head, "I do all I can to serve this clan to the best of my ability. You have my life and my word." Rippedsky vowed, feeling a sense of clan pride that he never had before. The weight of his new responsibility was small in comparison everything else he felt. His blue eyes swam with a conflict of emotion, but a soft smile crossed his maw. Once more, Crowstar would serve as his mentor. Together they would lead Skyclan. If only Cherrymist were here... He thought sadly. As Lilyheart congratulated him, he snapped back into reality and meowed a brief 'thank you'.

Cloverleaf cheered for the warriors name Rippedsky, she was very happy for him.